Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Kathmandu, held a round table talk on "Perspectives of Nepal-Russia relations on trade and tourism and Foreign Policy of Russia - a brief outlook" to mark the auspicious occasion of the Day of Russia (June 12) on June 9 at RCSC Kathmandu. The event was jointly organized by Nepal Council of World Affairs and Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The programme was attended by Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in Nepal Dr. Alexander G. Khozin, President of Nepal Council of World Affairs Tika Jung Thapa, former Nepalese ambassadors to Russia Hiranya Lal shrestha and Lila Prasad Sharma, President of Nepal-Russia Friendship Association Prof. Bhagwan Ratna Tuladhar, Vice-President of Nepal-Russia Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mr. Naresh Shrestha, Russian and Nepalese businessmen and representatives of state and public organizations and journalists.
Director of Russian Center of Science & Culture in Kathmandu Stanislav Simakov welcomed the participants of the round table and spoke about the activities of RCSC Kathmandu. He said that RCSC Kathmandu is working in maintaining and expanding contacts between Russian and Nepalese business partners. In his speech, he also focused on the Year of Tourism in Nepal – 2011.

During the programme, the main speaker Dr. Khozin presented a paper on "Outlook on the current state and perspectives for Russia-Nepal Relations on Trade and Tourism and Foreign Policy". He concluded that the trade between Russia and Nepal from 2008 to 2009 was slightly increased rather than in the past years. He added that commercial and economic contacts between the two countries are affected primarily due to the lack of direct flights between Russia and Nepal. He said that Nepal is a very attractive country for Russian investors, but most entrepreneurs do not want to take any risk because of the unstable political situation in the country at the present moment.

Vice Chairman of Nepal Council of World Affairs, Prakash A. Raj spoke about the last five years of political instability in the country and expressed hope for a speedy resolution of these problems that has affected the economic cooperation. He also stressed on the preparation of the Year of Tourism in Nepal – 2011.

To mark the Day of Russia, RCSC Kathmandu also organized a book exhibition "Tourism in Russia and Nepal" .

The event was attended by more than 50 people. The round table was featured on national news channel "Avenues" and other local newspapers "Rising Nepal" and "The Himalayan Times".